Low-Dose Aspirin Has Been Tied to Bleeding on the Brain

For decades, doctors have instructed individuals to take low-dose aspirin to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. Not only has that proven to be less than effective, but recent studies have found taking low-dose aspirin can increase your risk for bleeding on the brain.

Low-Dose Aspirin Concerns

Individuals with a low body mass index (BMI) and people of Asain decent have the highest risk of bleeding within the skull due to low-dose aspirin (between 75 and 100 milligrams). Functional dependency and death are both linked to bleeding within the skull.

The study, which was published in JAMA Neurology on Monday, took a look at 13 clinical trials involving 134,000 patients. All of the patients were without a history of stroke and heart disease. Individuals who took a placebo had a 0.46 percent risk of having a bleed on the brain. On the other hand, those who took a daily dose of aspirin had a 0.63 percent risk. With that difference, an additional two people out of every 1,000 experienced intracerebral hemorrhage.

This comes just after new guidelines from the American Heart Association in March. In individuals who have already experienced a heart attack or stroke, a doctor may prescribe low-dose aspirin to prevent another. It may also be prescribed for individuals with a high risk of cardiovascular disease and low risk of bleeding. Again, this is only as a preventative measure.

In healthy, elderly people, low-dose aspirin did not prolong life. It instead is linked to major hemorrhages.

The best way to help prevent cardiovascular disease is by taking better overall care of your health. Maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and eat plenty of veggies. Additionally, cut down on the sugar and trans fats. These steps are really the best way to prevent heart disease.

If you’re taking low-dose aspirin, consider talking to your doctor about whether or not you should stop before taking yourself off the medication. Always consult your doctor with any concerns you may have.